Hypoxia-induced ADAM8⁺ macrophages and FAP⁺ fibroblasts form an extracellular matrix-remodeling niche at the tumor boundary in HCC - PubMed
4 hours ago
- #macrophages
- #fibroblasts
- #hepatocellular carcinoma
- Hypoxia in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) induces ADAM8-expressing macrophages and FAP-expressing fibroblasts.
- These cells form an ECM-remodeling niche at the tumor boundary, located in hypoxic zones near necrosis.
- ADAM8 in macrophages is hypoxia-induced and promotes inflammation (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) and fibroblast activation.
- High levels of ADAM8+ macrophages correlate with worse overall and recurrence-free survival in HCC patients.
- Inhibiting ADAM8 reduces FAP+ fibroblasts in a murine model, suggesting it as a therapeutic target.